We prefer world law, in the age of self-determination, to world war in the age of mass extermination.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
God made the country and man made the town.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
The Irish are a fair people: They never speak well of one another.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
God grant, that not only the Love of Liberty, but a thorough Knowledge of the Rights of Man, may pervade all the Nations of the Earth, so that a Philosopher may set his Foot anywhere on its Surface, and say, This is my Country.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
There will never be a really free and enlightened state until the state comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations… is that in political, military, moral, and spiritual confrontations, there should be an honest attempt at the reconciliation of differences before resorting
—Jimmy Carter (b.1924) American Head of State, Military Leader
With disadvantages enough to bring him to humility, a Scotsman is one of the proudest things alive.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Each nation feels superior to other nations. That breeds patriotism – and wars.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
Great countries are those that produce great people.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
I suffer more from the humiliations inflicted by my country than from those inflicted on her.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
I showed my appreciation of my native land in the usual Irish way: by getting out of it as soon as I possibly could.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
The best thing I know between France and England is the sea.
—Douglas William Jerrold (1803–57) English Writer, Dramatist, Wit
In all nations an exceptional man exists that compensates the deficiencies of the remainder. In those moments, when humanity is found collectively in a state of decadence, there always remain those exceptional beings as point of reference.
—Augusto Roa Bastos (1917–2005) Paraguayan Novelist, Journalist
A nation may be said to consist of its territory, its people and its laws. The territory is the only part which is of certain durability. Laws change, people die, the land remains.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.
—Abba Eban (1915–2002) Israeli Diplomat, Politician
A thousand years scarce serve to form a state; an hour may lay it in the dust.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
The French are wiser than they seem, and the Spaniards seem wiser than they are.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
If a nation values anything more than freedom, it will lose its freedom; and the irony of it is that, if it is comfort or money it values more, it will lose that too
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
The world has never yet seen a truly great and virtuous nation because in the degradation of woman the very fountains of life are poisoned at their source.
—Lucretia Mott (1793–1880) American Abolitionist, Feminist
From hence, let fierce contending nations know, What dire effects from civil discord flow
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
The French complain of everything, and always.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
The state is made for man, not man for the state.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
The United Nations is designed to make possible lasting freedom and independence for all its members.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
I made efforts to swallow tears and to protect the species of the Japanese nation.
—Emperor Hirohito (1901–89) Emperor of Japan
There are few virtues that the Poles do not possess and there are few errors they have ever avoided.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
In dealing with Englishmen you can be sure of one thing only, that the logical solution will not be adopted.
—William Ralph Inge (1860–1954) English Anglican Clergyman, Priest, Mystic
The heroes of the world community are not those who withdraw when difficulties ensue, not those who can envision neither the prospect of success nor the consequence of failure—but those who stand the heat of battle, the fight for world peace through the United Nations.
—Hubert Humphrey (1911–78) American Head of State, Politician
The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees is the high road that leads him to England.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
A nation may lose its liberties in a day, and not miss them in a century.
—Montesquieu (1689–1755) French Political Philosopher, Jurist
The nation will find it very hard to look up to the leaders who are keeping their ears to the ground.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
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